Prep golfers like UTC

Prep golfers like UTC

Local high school sophomore Scott Stevens, striking a tee shot while Matthew Mourin, left, and Benjamin Rebne look on during the Evitt Foundation RTC Junior All-Star golf tournament at WindStone in June, admits UTC's recent golf successes make the Mocs more attractive as a possibility for his college years.

Chattanooga Christian sophomore Scott Stevens already has heard from Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Clemson asking about his interest in playing golf at those universities.

He's also noticed University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach Mark Guhne and assistant Ben Rickett following him around in some tournaments.

Stevens' interest in staying at home to play college golf rose last weekend when UTC senior Steven Fox won the U.S. Amateur in 37 holes at fabled Cherry Hills outside Denver.

"He represented Chattanooga really well for doing that," Stevens said. "I thought it was pretty awesome. He never gave up and kept fighting."

Fox's victory has expanded Guhne's recruiting base across the nation and drew the attention of Chattanooga's best prep golfers.

"It's got a lot more interesting knowing what they're doing, and it raised my interest in looking at UTC," said Baylor senior Mikey Feher, who helped the Red Raiders with the Matt Cunningham Baylor Preview by shooting 3-under-par 69 at Black Creek Club.

"I'm thinking UTC has a great golf program," said Feher, who is considering Lipscomb, Belmont and a couple of other schools. "I have a lot more respect for the UTC golf program."

But UTC has openings for graduates in the 2014 and 2015 classes. The latter includes Stevens, who will play at the Greenbrier Meadows Course in the Woodward Video Junior this weekend.

"To see UTC coaches watching me gives me confidence that I have a chance to go somewhere good and play," Stevens said. "If somebody has UTC on their list, [Fox's win] would have a big impact on whether they go there or not."